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Posted Monday, July 28, 2014

We all need to be reminded sometimes about the easy and affordable (sometimes free) changes that make a difference in your household and help lead your family to a greener lifestyle.

1.Vinegar- Make sure you stock your pantry with this versatile natural and non-toxic household product. Vinegar has enough acidity and neutrality that it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, as a disinfectant, polisher, and laundry softener.2.House plants- did you know that you can improve the quality of the air in your home simply by putting houseplants in your home. They act like indoor air purifiers and increase the amount of oxygen available in your home.3. Clean your refrigerator coils twice a year, more often if you have pets. Condenser coils are located at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator. If they are allowed to accumulate dust and dirt as much as 25 percent more energy is required to maintain proper temperature. This can be a DIY project-buy a refrigerator coil brush from your local hardware store for less than ten dollars and clean it yourself, it takes 20 minutes.4. Set the thermostat on your water heater at 120° F. This temperature is normally adequate for home use and will save a considerable amount of energy. If you have a dishwasher check the manufacturer's specifications to see if the temperature needs adjusting.

5. Go paper less. And I'm not talking about the kind you write on, I'm talking about disposable towels. The kind you wipe the tables with, clean up spills with, wipe hands with etc. Instead of using paper towels get some rags of fabric, old wash cloths, make your own cloth napkins and reusable "unpaper towels", or purchase them pre-made. Since they are made with fabric you can use them again and again. You can actually save money!Dorinda's shop, Raising Green Kids, offers eco-friendly products for your family. Follow her on Facebook and twitter and at her blog.

Posted Sunday, July 27, 2014

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #39 was "Christmas in July".
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with a whooping 99 views is...

Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2014

GeorginaGiles has been selling on Etsy since August 2010, they sell lovely handmade toys & games to make every day an adventure! Today they are going to give us a little peak behind the scenes of their Etsy shop.

What motivated you to start your shop?
I teach workshops, write a sewing blog (georginagiles.co.uk) and make handmade toys. I opened an Etsy shop because I was looking for a way to sell my toys online and to a global audience. I love wrapping up a dinosaur and sending it off to the other side of the world!

What is the story behind your shop name?
My shop has the same name as my business and it is simply my name! When I set up my business I wanted something simple and I decided that my name was the best way to go.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I love the sense of community that Etsy has, I am always amazed by the amount of support and advice you can find on the forums and in the teams.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favourite item at the moment would have to be one of my Tic Tac Toe travel games. I love choosing the fabric, felt and buttons to team together and they are such fun to make. I have really fond memories of playing games with my family when I was little and I love to think that my games will bring other families together in the same way.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
It can be tricky planning ahead for seasonal products. Before you know it, Christmas is on the way and it can be a mad rush to get everything photographed and listed. I now make sure that Christmas is planned over the summer and ready to be listed in September!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to design and make beautiful, quality and quirky toys that families will treasure. I place a big emphasis on the quality of my work and I always try to source my materials from UK based companies.

What do you do when you aren't working?
When I'm not working - which isn't often because I love what I do - I spend time with my husband and my family. I love cooking and eating out, going for long walks and reading a good book. I live by the seaside so going for an ice cream on the beach is another favourite thing to do!

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I also write sewing tutorials, which I publish on my blog. I have written a really wide range of patterns, including one for a drawstring bag, a complete guide to stitching a patchwork quilt, gifts to make for men and also some knitting patterns.
You can find them all here : http://georginagiles.wordpress.com/category/tutorials/

Posted Saturday, July 12, 2014

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #38 was "Oranges and Lemons".
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with a whooping 319 views is...

CuteNCurlyBowtique makes cute hair accessories and bow. We love her yellow and orange hair bow which matches perfectly with this treasury. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations, plus 20% discount during the Christmas in July sale.

Posted Friday, July 11, 2014

Camping with kids is great family fun and we all become kids at heart when sleeping in the great outdoors. But with a few precautions and a little extra planning the adventure will be memorable for years to come.Safety tips for happy campers:

• Young children should stay within eyesight, and older children within earshot.

• Children over the age of four should carry a simple survival kit, or at least a whistle to call for help if lost. The standard distress signal is three blows to indicate "I'm lost" or "I need help."

• Pack a days worth of clothing for each child in zip lock bags, so clothes stay organized. Every morning your child can grab the bag, with their name on it, and have a full set of clothes for the day. At night the dirty clothes go back in the bag, thus keeping the clean and dirty clothes separated.

• The key to comfortable camping with kids is to dress them in several layers, which can be removed as the sun comes up or added as the sun sets.

• Teach your kids to treat the outdoors kindly. Make sure all waste is disposed of properly when camping or hiking along the trails.

• Two or more children will entertain themselves for longer periods than will a single child, so you may want to invite a playmate along.

• Get the kids involved by making a check list of camping equipment, games and favorite toys for traveling, food and snacks, rainwear, camera, phone, bug sprays, medical kit, etc.. Don’t forget to check it twice before leaving home.

Posted Thursday, July 10, 2014

It is that time of year again! Christmas in July!! Yay!!
Every year Etsy shops offer great discounts and savings during July for those wanting to get a kick start on their Christmas shopping. Here is a list of EtsyKids Team members who are offering discounts and deals, so take a look and get that Christmas shopping started!